Wednesday, 26 October 2011

Citizenship

I had the great privilege yesterday of attending the ceremony for UK citizenship in Hillsborough Castle yesterday morning. One of my greatest friends Lidia was receiving her citizenship and I was thrilled to be asked to be a witness to the ceremony. Lidia has been a great friend and blessing to me over the last number of years, there have been many times when I have been incredibly thankful for her, and it was great to be able to share this morning with her and watch as she became a citizen.

Lidia, Jonny and I

One of my favourite parts of the ceremony was watching an elderly woman receiving her citizenship. I don't know where she was from, but assume the middle East somewhere. She didn't speak English and a younger man was translating everything in her ear. I would have loved to hear her story, hear what journey brought her to this country and to citizenship in her later years.

Lidia and I outside Hillsborough Castle

I am also incredibly thankful to be able to be in Belfast this week to spend some good quality time with my sister who is home for a few weeks with this young man to whom I am Uncle Tom. Gemma and Harry are enjoying a week in Belfast which I'm glad to be able to be up for some of! Thankful for some good family time.